Asing Wins 2011 Unsound Pro at Long Beach

Keanu Asing (HAW), 17, 2011 Unsound Pro Junior Champion. Credit: Unsound / Mike Nelson

LONG BEACH, New York / USA (Friday, April 29, 2011) - Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI), 17, earned top honors at the ASP 1-Star Unsound Pro Junior in an electric final that saw the young Hawaiian unleash powerful backhand surfing on several lefthanders. Asing got the best of a flurry of exchanges over fellow finalists Christian Saenz (Huntington Beach, CA), 19, fellow Hawaiian Tanner Hendrickson (Paia, HI), 18, and local favorite Balaram Stack (Point Lookout, NY), 19, in fun three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves in New York.

The Unsound Pro Junior's ASP 1-Star status allows up and coming talent the chance to build their ranking on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series while more seasoned competitors were out to broaden their competitive horizons in the event.

While all finalists opened their account with quality scores, Asing was the first find a rhythm in the battle for this year's Unsound Pro Junior Title. The talented Hawaiian locked into three consecutive lefthanders and confidently dismantled each wave to notch a solid 14.10 heat total (out of 20) which would prove to be enough for the win.

"I'm just ecstatic right now, I'm so glad I did this contest," Asing said. "I was watching the lefts down the beach and I thought I could get a couple of scores. I got one decent one and then got the 8 while I was paddling back out. Right after that I got another one. I just rolled into three good waves. I guess Mother Nature was in my corner.

Asing, who was the top seed in the Unsound Pro Junior, is looking to carry the confidence gained from his Unsound Pro Junior victory to Lower Trestles, where he is a top seed at the upcoming ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior.

"This is a good confidence booster going into Lowers," Asing said. "I was just happy that I made the Final. This is my second time here competing in New York and it was really cool to get good waves for the event and to win is just awesome."

Saenz put in an impressive performance on his forehand, consistently punting airs on the rampy New York lefthanders throughout the day, but was unable to find a backup score to overtake Asing in the final and finished runner-up. The second place finish marks his career-best result.

"I'm stoked," Saenz said. "This is my best result ever and I'm psyched. I've been here once before and I love New York. I love the wave and it's such a great event to be a part of."
 

Also shining throughout the day were finalists Tanner Hendrickson and local favorite Balaram Stack. Both surfers displayed amazing progressive maneuvers throughout the event, and finished third and fourth respectively.

The next stop on the 2011 ASP North America Pro Junior Series will be the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior, which will see the nation's finest under-21 talent take to the water at California's prized pointbreak of Lower Trestles.

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org

Unsound Pro Junior Final Results:

1 - Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.10
2 - Christian Saenz (USA) 11.60
3 - Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 10.20
4 - Balaram Stack (USA) 8.13